We Cry for Blood Read online

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  Copyright © 2021 by Devin Madson

  Excerpt from Legacy of Ash copyright © 2019 by Matthew Ward

  Excerpt from Son of the Storm copyright © 2021 by Suyi Davies Okungbowa

  Cover design by Lisa Marie Pompilio

  Cover illustration by Nico Delort

  Cover copyright © 2021 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.

  Map by Charis Loke

  Author photograph by Leah Ladson

  Hachette Book Group supports the right to free expression and the value of copyright. The purpose of copyright is to encourage writers and artists to produce the creative works that enrich our culture.

  The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book without permission is a theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like permission to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.

  Orbit

  Hachette Book Group

  1290 Avenue of the Americas

  New York, NY 10104

  orbitbooks.net

  First Edition: August 2021

  Simultaneously published in Great Britain by Orbit

  Orbit is an imprint of Hachette Book Group.

  The Orbit name and logo are trademarks of Little, Brown Book Group Limited.

  The publisher is not responsible for websites (or their content) that are not owned by the publisher.

  The Hachette Speakers Bureau provides a wide range of authors for speaking events. To find out more, go to www.hachettespeakersbureau.com or call (866) 376-6591.

  Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  Names: Madson, Devin, author.

  Title: We cry for blood / Devin Madson.

  Description: First edition. | New York, NY : Orbit, 2021. | Series: The reborn empire ; book 3

  Identifiers: LCCN 2020057292 | ISBN 9780316536417 (trade paperback) | ISBN 9780316536424 (ebook)

  Subjects: GSAFD: Fantasy fiction.

  Classification: LCC PR9619.4.M335 W43 2021 | DDC 823/.92—dc23

  LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2020057292

  ISBNs: 978-0-316-53641-7 (trade paperback), 978-0-316-53640-0 (ebook)

  E3-20210525-JV-NF-ORI

  Contents

  Cover

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  Map

  Character List

  The Story So Far…

  Chapter 1: Miko

  Chapter 2: Dishiva

  Chapter 3: Cassandra

  Chapter 4: Rah

  Chapter 5: Miko

  Chapter 6: Dishiva

  Chapter 7: Cassandra

  Chapter 8: Rah

  Chapter 9: Dishiva

  Chapter 10: Cassandra

  Chapter 11: Miko

  Chapter 12: Rah

  Chapter 13: Dishiva

  Chapter 14: Cassandra

  Chapter 15: Miko

  Chapter 16: Dishiva

  Chapter 17: Rah

  Chapter 18: Miko

  Chapter 19: Cassandra

  Chapter 20: Dishiva

  Chapter 21: Rah

  Chapter 22: Miko

  Chapter 23: Cassandra

  Chapter 24: Dishiva

  Chapter 25: Miko

  Chapter 26: Rah

  Chapter 27: Dishiva

  Chapter 28: Cassandra

  Chapter 29: Rah

  Chapter 30: Miko

  Chapter 31: Dishiva

  Chapter 32: Rah

  Acknowledgements

  Discover More

  Extras Meet the Author

  A Preview of Legacy of Ash

  A Preview of Son of the Storm

  Also by Devin Madson

  Praise for The Reborn Empire Series

  For M, first and forever my baby, for being so patient with me and with life. And for always bringing cheer and joy wherever you go.

  Explore book giveaways, sneak peeks, deals, and more.

  Tap here to learn more.

  CHARACTER LIST

  Levanti

  Torin

  Rah e’Torin—ousted captain of the Second Swords of Torin

  Eska e’Torin—Rah’s second-in-command (deceased, Residing)

  Kishava e’Torin—tracker (deceased)

  Orun e’Torin—horse master (deceased, Residing)

  Yitti e’Torin—healer

  Jinso—Rah’s horse

  Lok, Himi, and Istet—Swords of the Torin

  Gideon e’Torin—First Sword of the Torin, now emperor of Levanti Kisia

  Sett e’Torin—Gideon’s second and blood brother (deceased)

  Tep e’Torin—healer of the First Swords

  Tor, Matsimelar (deceased), and Oshar e’Torin—the saddleboys chosen by Gideon to be translators

  Nuru e’Torin—self-taught translator never used by the Chiltaens

  Jaroven

  Dishiva e’Jaroven—captain of the Third Swords of Jaroven

  Keka e’Jaroven—Dishiva’s second, can’t talk. Chiltaens cut out his tongue.

  Captain Atum e’Jaroven—captain of the First Swords of Jaroven

  Loklan e’Jaroven—Dishiva’s horse master

  Shenyah e’Jaroven—the only Jaroven Made in exile

  Ptapha, Massama, Dendek, Anouke, Esi, Moshe e’Jaroven—Dishiva’s Swords

  Other Levanti

  Ezma e’Topi—Exiled horse whisperer

  Derkka en’Injit—Ezma’s apprentice

  Jass en’Occha—a Sword of the Occha

  Captain Lashak e’Namalaka—First Sword of the Namalaka and Dishiva’s friend

  Captain Yiss en’Oht—First Sword of the Oht, fiercely loyal to Gideon

  Captain Taga en’Occha—First Sword of the Occha and Jass’s captain

  Captain Menesor e’Qara—captain of the Second Swords of Qara

  Jaesha e’Qara—Captain Menesor’s second

  Captain Dhamara e’Sheth, Captain Bahn e’Bedjuti, Captain Leena en’Injit—other Levanti captains

  Senet en’Occha, Jakan e’Qara, Yafeu en’Injit, Baln en’Oht, Tafa en’Oht, and Kehta en’Oht—imperial guards

  Diha e’Bedjuti—a healer

  Nassus—Levanti god of death

  Mona—Levanti goddess of justice

  Kisians

  Miko Ts’ai—daughter of Empress Hana Ts’ai and Katashi Otako

  Emperor Kin Ts’ai—the last emperor of Kisia (deceased)

  Empress Hana Ts’ai—deposed empress of Kisia

  Prince Tanaka Ts’ai—Miko’s twin brother (deceased)

  Shishi—Miko’s dog

  Jie Ts’ai—Emperor Kin’s illegitimate son (deceased)

  Minister Tashi Oyamada—Jie’s maternal grandfather and minister of the right

  General Kitado—commander of Miko’s Imperial Guard (deceased)

  Minister Ryo Manshin—minister of the left, chief commander of the Imperial Army

  General Hade Ryoji—former commander of the Imperial Guard

  General Tai Moto, General Rushin, General Senn Mihri, General Yass, and General Alon—southern generals of the Imperial Army

  Captain Soku—one of General Moto’s men

  Lord Hiroto Bahain—duke of Syan

  Edo Bahain—duke of Syan’s eldest son

  Captain Nagai—one of the duke’s men

  Governor Tianto Koali—Governor of Syan

  Lord Ichiro Koali—Count of Irin Ya

  Lord Nishi (Lord Salt)—a wealthy Kisian lord who bel
ieves in the One True God

  Chiltaens

  Cassandra Marius—Chiltaen whore and assassin

  The hieromonk, Creos Villius—head of the One True God’s church (deceased)

  Leo Villius—only child of His Holiness the hieromonk

  Captain Aeneas—the hieromonk’s head guard

  Kaysa (She)—Cassandra’s second soul

  Swiff—one of Captain Aeneas’s men

  Others

  Torvash—the Witchdoctor

  Mistress Saki—Torvash’s silent companion

  Kocho—Torvash’s scribe and servant

  Lechati—young man in Torvash’s service

  THE STORY SO FAR…

  Dishiva e’Jaroven is named the head of Gideon’s Imperial Guard, but the return of Dom Leo Villius soon becomes her sole focus. People are poisoned and holy books are burned and she’s sure he’s the enemy no one else can see. After Gideon’s marriage to Lady Sichi, a translator is poisoned while stealing her a holy book, and sure it contains something Leo doesn’t want them to know, Dishiva seeks to have it translated.

  As a prisoner of the Witchdoctor, Cassandra undergoes experiments that pull her soul in and out of her body. She plots escape while learning about her condition until she is accidentally catapulted inside Empress Hana’s body. Kaysa—the other soul inhabiting Cassandra’s body—runs away, leaving Cassandra behind.

  On the run in her own empire, Empress Miko travels with Rah to Syan, seeking the aid of Grace Bahain. They discover Bahain plans to take the empire for himself, killing the Levanti, and with Edo’s help, Miko and Rah escape. Together they trudge through the wilds of Kisia, both intent on getting back to Mei’lian. Miko to free Minister Manshin, her only remaining ally, and Rah to save his people. On the way, they are attacked by Jie’s soldiers, and Miko lets herself be taken to save Rah’s life.

  Finding his Swords setting fire to Mei’lian, Rah frees Minister Manshin before challenging Yitti for the captaincy. Sett interrupts to ensure Rah’s failure, and is killed for the dishonour while Rah, badly injured, is further exiled from his people.

  With Jie’s political career hanging on Miko’s death, she has to fight for her life and kills him. Now the last remaining member of the imperial family, she woos Jie’s southern army to her cause, and for the first time since escaping Mei’lian, she has some hope for the future.

  When the Witchdoctor gives them up, Cassandra and Hana find themselves stuck with the hieromonk and on their way to Koi. After killing him, Cassandra puts Hana in the hieromonk’s skin to take charge of Chiltae’s plans herself. But when they arrive in Koi, they find Leo Villius taking over the Chiltaen army and barely escape alive.

  Increasingly not himself, Gideon orders Dishiva to attack a deserter camp, but she finds a horse whisperer there and refuses to kill either her or the Levanti who just want to go home. There she learns that the holy book says Leo will have to die three more times to become a god and build his holy empire.

  1. MIKO

  I loosed an arrow, heart thrumming in time with the bowstring. It hit the target with a satisfying thud as I took another from the barrel. Around me camp noise swirled on, while like two statues, Minister Manshin and newly promoted Minister Oyamada stood watching. Neither had addressed me since arriving, instead keeping up a stiff flow of conversation.

  “And wine?” Manshin said.

  “Some,” came Oyamada’s reply. “We will have to be careful in its distribution, especially heading into winter. Rice too. Millet we have in greater abundance, also beans and dried meats, and we can make use of any river we pass.”

  Manshin grumbled as I loosed another arrow into the rapidly filling target. A small crowd of soldiers had gathered to watch, quietly murmuring amongst themselves.

  “Steel?”

  “Of course. And… arrows. Wood for defences. We have plenty of wood and metal in the south, you know.”

  “Too bad we can’t eat them.”

  “We are not lacking in food,” Oyamada said. “Wine will just need to be rationed. Wise if you want your soldiers to stand upright.”

  Minister Manshin shifted his feet, a sidelong look thrown to the watching men. “And never could you more clearly prove you know little about how armies work, Excellency.”

  “I have commanded—”

  “Troops of guards hired for trade caravans do not count. You focus on maintaining our supply lines, I’ll decide how to make use of them.”

  I loosed another arrow and turned before it hit the target, catching Minister Oyamada opening his mouth to retort. “Your caution is very wise, Minister Oyamada,” I said, glancing a look of censure at Manshin. Of the two I trusted him more, had been with him longer and needed his skills, but without Oyamada I would have no soldiers. We had seen Jie’s body off that morning, back to his mother to be laid to rest. Under other circumstances he would have been buried in the imperial gardens, but smoke still rose from the burning ruins of Mei’lian.

  Both men bowed, Oyamada with something of ironic thanks, Manshin in stiff apology.

  I drew another arrow, increasingly aware of the swelling crowd around us.

  “Majesty,” both ministers said, their first sign of unity. “We ought to call a meeting before the generals begin to worry,” Manshin added. “They may take being kept waiting as a sign of disrespect.”

  “I don’t intend to keep anyone waiting.” I nocked the arrow, while lying at my feet, Shishi’s tail stirred on the churned mud. “But neither do I want to be at a disadvantage at our first meeting. So, I am going to see the rest of the camp. And meet some of my soldiers.”

  “Are… you sure that’s wise, Your Majesty?” Oyamada made all too obvious a twitch in the direction of our audience.

  “Yes. If I have to sit in a stuffy tent while men talk down to me, I will first ensure I understand what they are talking about. We will meet tonight. I’m confident you will help them accept this decision, Minister Oyamada.”

  He received my confiding smile without returning one of his own, but taking it for the order it was, he bowed and departed.

  “You need to give him time,” Manshin said once he was out of earshot. “You killed his grandson only two days ago.”

  “And you need to not belittle the skills he brings to our cause.”

  A humourless smile turned his lips, deepening the dark rings beneath his eyes. “You mean the money he is bringing to our cause.”

  “His cause now too.”

  Manshin bowed in acknowledgement and I took another arrow from the barrel. A gust of wind whipped through the narrow mud patch, flapping my surcoat about my feet and ruffling Shishi’s fur. I nocked, compensating with barely a thought, and loosed—the whole process second nature, as meeting with generals had been second nature to Emperor Kin.

  Despite the wind, the arrow hit more or less where I had intended—more than could be said of my plans.

  “You cannot rely on your prowess with a bow to impress the generals, Your Majesty,” Manshin said, eyeing the watching soldiers. “At best they will see it as intimidation, at worst as a reminder of your father.”

  “Of Emperor Kin? I see no issue with that.”

  “Not who I meant.”

  “No,” I agreed. “But here and now I have only one father and he was Emperor Kin Ts’ai. Only one brother and he was Emperor Jie Ts’ai. My mother was a traitor. My twin a fool. These are the truths I have to live if I want Kisia to survive. But since I also need generals who will listen to me, who know they cannot walk all over me as I am sure they intend to, I will do everything I can to give myself an edge.”

  He nodded. “They will push to see how much power they have, and will hate you if you give them none and hate you if you give them too much.”

  “And hate me if I hit this target and hate me if I don’t. Hate me if I act like a woman and hate me if I don’t.” I nocked the arrow. “I know this won’t be easy, Minister. But knowing they will hate me no matter what I do is more freeing than you might imagin
e.”

  I drew and loosed, taking joy in the thud of arrowhead meeting hemp coil. Minister Manshin watched, his brow furrowed.

  “I can do this,” I said. “You took my armour in Mei’lian so I might live to fight another day; surely you did that because you believed in me.”

  The watching soldiers could not have overheard, yet Manshin lowered his voice, almost losing it in the general chatter. “I fear they will not put aside old wounds,” he said, “whatever the feelings of the common soldiers. Whatever the needs of Kisia. These are southern men whose homes and families have not been threatened. To them the loss of Koi is something to cheer. Emperor Kin stoked the division in his ongoing war against your mother.”

  I sighed. “I will not forget, but if I am going to rule Kisia that means all of it, not just north of the river.” I lowered my bow, disliking how different it felt in my hands. In leaving Hacho in Syan I felt like I had left behind part of myself.

  “Walk with me, Minister,” I said. “I wish to see the camp and talk to my soldiers as Emperor Kin did.”

  “As you wish.”

  A boy took my bow, but I left the bracer tied around my wrist as a reminder of my skill. Had Kin considered such details? I had never before wondered how much had been true and how much constructed, the real man an enigma.

  As I made to leave the training area, chatter rose from the gathered crowd, and with Kin’s performance in mind, I said, “Thank you for attending my practice. Tomorrow I will see how many arrows I can split.”

  This was received with more surprise than excitement, but I needed to start somewhere.

  “You ought not play for them, Your Majesty,” Manshin said as I fell in beside him, our boots sinking into the mud. “Emperor Kin would never have done so.”

  “But I am not Emperor Kin.”

  “As you continue informing me, but as a woman you must demand the respect due to you even more than he had to as a commoner.”

  “But he wasn’t respected because he demanded it. He was respected because he earned it.”

  Manshin walked on in silence, hands clasped behind his back and his head high, the weak sunlight only serving to deepen the lines about his face. Being imprisoned by the Levanti had taken its toll, leaving a slimmer, harsher man walking with me, a man who might now be questioning the sacrifice he’d made to save my life. My soldiers were not the only ones whose respect I needed to preserve.